Prince George’s County Executive Reaffirms Support of Dr. Samuel Moki Appointment as Acting Director of the Department of the Environment

Prince Georges County, MD – Aisha N. Braveboy today reaffirmed her confidence in the appointment of Dr. Samuel Belsham Moki as Acting Director of the Department of the Environment (DoE), effective June 26, 2025.  

Dr. Moki brings to this role an exceptional combination of academic expertise, professional experience, and proven dedication to environmental stewardship. He holds a law degree, two master’s degrees, one in criminal justice and another in environmental management, and a Ph.D. in political science with a minor in public administration from Howard University. For more than 22 years, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses as an adjunct professor at several Washington, D.C. area universities, shaping future leaders in environmental policy, public administration, and justice studies.  

Dr. Moki’s longstanding service to Prince George’s County is equally distinguished. His roles at DoE have included Special Assistant to the Director, Associate Director of the Environmental and Sustainability Services Division, Solid Waste Commissioner, and Grants Manager. He was honored in July 2013 by the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership for his dedication and service in leading the Anacostia Watershed Management Committee during the 2010-2013 Term. Beyond the County, he has served as a contractual Public Board Member at the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Agriculture, and as a Commissioner on the Governor’s Commission for African Affairs.  

While questions have been raised about Dr. Moki’s 2014 termination from County employment, a decision he unsuccessfully challenged before the Personnel Board and in state courts, the County Executive’s Office emphasizes that the circumstances of that matter were during a government transition and occurred during a period when the Environmental Protection Agency was intensifying enforcement of the Clean Water Act nationwide.   

Dr. Moki, previously served as the Associate Director for Environmental and Sustainability Services at the Department of the Environment. The County was involved in a case where it was fined up to $177,000 for not fully complying with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System MS4 permit requirements. Several Maryland jurisdictions, including Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Harford, and Baltimore Counties, were cited and fined for similar Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit compliance issues.   

The Environmental Protection Agency took similar enforcement actions. Montgomery County entered a $300,000 consent decree, nearly doubling the fine amount of Prince George's County for not meeting restoration requirements for its 2010 MS4 permit. Anne Arundel, Harford, and Baltimore Counties were also fined for similar violations, see: “EPA fines Baltimore, 2 counties over runoff,” Star-Democrat, 11/2/2010,” Other Counties Struggle with MS4 Goals”, MD Association of Counties, 8/31/2018.  

County Executive Braveboy further noted that the level of funding the County had allocated at the time for MS4, and stormwater remediation efforts was not sufficient to meet the federal restoration requirements, a reality that continues to affect jurisdictions across Maryland. “This is and remains a growing challenge for the state as a whole, not just Prince George’s County,” said Braveboy.  

Dr. Moki has consistently maintained that the MS4 permit responsibilities were shared among multiple County agencies, and that many of the violations stemmed from the Department of Public Works rather than the Department of the Environment, beyond his direct authority. In fact, after his departure, the County continued to face MS4 compliance issues for more than a decade, including a $475,000 consent decree for the 2014–2019 period, under subsequent leadership, without similar personnel actions being taken.  

Since returning to DoE as Acting Director, Dr. Moki has demonstrated innovative leadership and a results-oriented approach, advancing water quality compliance projects while reducing projected compliance costs by 20%. He has championed the planting of more than 2,000 trees in the next six months, launched customer service enhancements, and initiated critical climate and energy projects, including preparations for a forthcoming Climate Leadership Summit, hosted in Prince George’s County, MD.  

“Dr. Moki’s record, credentials, and vision for the future of our environment speak louder than the past unfortunate employment actions taken against him,” said County Executive Braveboy. “Prince George’s County faces significant environmental challenges that require a leader with both deep technical knowledge and the courage to act decisively. Dr. Moki has proven he can meet that challenge.”  

The County Executive’s Office affirms its full support for Dr. Moki’s leadership and looks forward to continued progress under his direction as we elevate Prince George’s County together.  

 

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